10 Animals That Grieve Their Loved Ones

7. Orcas

Orcas, or killer whales, are highly social animals with complex family structures. When an orca dies, particularly a calf, the pod often displays behaviors that suggest mourning. Mothers have been seen carrying their dead calves for days, refusing to let them sink into the depths. The pod may slow down, staying close to the grieving mother, offering support through physical contact and vocalizations. In one instance, researchers observed that a mother orca kept her dead calf's body afloat for 17 days, diving each time it sank to retrieve it, finally giving up after 400 hours in a display of intense grief. These behaviors show the strong familial bonds within orca pods and their capacity for empathy and emotional depth. The mourning rituals of orcas serve as a poignant reminder of the universal nature of grief in the animal kingdom.